Twenty-Seven Faces of Kannon, a Shinto shrine in Akita Prefecture dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Kannon, is an unusual blend of Buddhist and Shinto traditions. The shrine's name reflects its unique feature of enshrining twenty-seven Buddha statues, each representing a different aspect of the deity. Visitors can walk through these 27 statues, each about 1 meter tall, which are believed to bring good fortune and blessings.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Kannon
- Kami enshrined
- Kannon
- Coordinates
- 39.4934193, 140.5521632
Visitor tip
When visiting the shrine, be sure to follow local customs by making an offering of a small box of sweets at each statue before moving on to the next one.
Cultural notes
This unique shrine is part of Japan's diverse religious landscape and showcases the blend of Shintoism and Buddhism in Akita Prefecture. Each Buddha statue represents a different virtue or aspect of Kannon's compassion, and walking through them can be a meditative experience for visitors.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in 1875 during the Meiji period, with many of its current buildings dating back to this time.